The Regional Ministry of Health has issued heat risk warnings for four islands, and these episodes are expected to begin on Saturday, September 30th, lasting until October 4th.
Additionally, the State Meteorological Agency (Aemet) has activated a yellow warning for haze in the Canary Islands for this Saturday, affecting various areas of Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, and Fuerteventura.
The warnings due to the arrival of intense heat in the Canary Islands
GRAN CANARIA
- Orange warning: From September 30th to October 4th in San Bartolomé de Tirajana, La Aldea de San Nicolás, and Santa Lucía de Tirajana.
- Yellow warning: From September 30th to October 4th, with a lull on October 3rd (when the forecasted temperature falls below 33 degrees Celsius), in Valsequillo. From October 1st to 4th, with a lull on October 3rd, in Agüimes and Ingenio. From September 30th to October 4th in Mogán.
LANZAROTE
- Yellow warning: From September 30th to October 4th, with a lull on October 3rd, in San Bartolomé.
FUERTEVENTURA
- Yellow warning: September 30th to October 1st in Antigua, and September 30th to October 4th in Pájara and Tuineje.
TENERIFE
- Yellow warning: From October 4th, in La Orotava, El Puerto de La Cruz, and San Miguel de Abona.
The temperature thresholds for 2023 are 33 degrees Celsius for the province of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and 34 degrees Celsius for the province of Santa Cruz de Tenerife.
The health risk levels for high temperatures are determined based on temperature thresholds, the number of days of persistence, and risk factors for each territory. There are four levels of risk: Level 0 (green) signifies no risk, Level 1 (yellow) indicates low risk, Level 2 (orange) represents medium risk, and Level 3 (red) signifies high risk.
The Directorate General of Public Health coordinates actions to mitigate the effects of high temperatures on health. Vulnerable individuals, such as the elderly, infants, pregnant women, and those with certain medical conditions, are advised to stay in cool places, reduce physical activity, stay hydrated, and take other precautions.
Furthermore, the government can activate various plans, including the Plan for the Prevention of Excess Temperatures on the Health of People and the Specific Plan for Civil Protection and Emergency Care for Risks due to Adverse Meteorological Phenomena (PEFMA), in response to high-temperature forecasts and other risk situations.
This comprehensive approach aims to protect the population, property, and the environment during adverse weather conditions.
